A brief, light review of tensions facing the church (East/West, North/South,
rich/poor and our common ecology), pleading that theologians and the
church take these issues seriously due to the spiritual root of the
problems.

Examines the ways in which Christians in a variety of settings think
about nd live out their faith. Also includes examination of appropriate
methods for conducting theological education in these contexts.

________. Learning about Theology from the Third World. Grand Rapids:
Academie Books, 1990.

Good, basic introduction to the topic. The author assumes that Western
Evangelicals have not sufficiently taken into account the theologies
of other cultures. Especially helpful is chapter 5, which compares African,
Latin, and Asian perspectives on Christology.

Hanks, Thomas. God So Loved the Third World: The Bible, the Reformation,
and Liberation Theologies.Maryknoll,
NY: Orbis, 1983 (in Spanish in 1983 ).

Careful study by Wheaton College graduate on the topics of wealth and
poverty in the Old and New Testaments, concluding that in many cases
poverty in the Bible comes directly from unfair practices of the wealthy
and powerful which the poor can not prevent.

Herzog, Frederick. Justice Church: The New Function of the Church in
North American Christianity. Maryknoll,
NY: Orbis, 1980.

Makes the case that American racism is supported overtly, covertly,
structurally and indirectly by the very structures of our theological
training. These structures tend to work against inclusion of people
of color due to academic considerations and then, by indirect social
interaction, continue to produce pastors who unwittingly support racism
in their churches.

Argues that God has revealed Himself to some extent in non-biblical
religions and that evangelicals can learn from them, but he still
insists that Christ is the center of God's revelation.

Nelson, Jack A. Hunger for Justice. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1980.

Theological argument that hunger and infant mortality in much of the
world comes from an imbalance of power and wealth. Contends that this
is a justice issue and calls the church to make a basic contribution
to addressing the needs of the poor at individual, practical and systemic
levels.

An exploration of the use of Scripture by liberation theologians which
is at once critical of materialistic perspectives, yet appreciative
of the challenges it raises to North American interpretation of the
same texts and our relationships to the poor.

One of the great scholars of our time critiques the emergence of the
Church from Jewish ethnocentrism to the rejection of Jewish Christianity,
and the subsequent struggle of the world Christian movement to discover
the interaction and balance between culture and theology.

Sugirtharajah, R. S. Voices from the Margin: Interpreting the Bible
in the Third World. Maryknoll: SPCK/Orbis Books, 2000.

An anthology which discusses issues involving the use of Scripture,
various interpretations of Exodus, multi-faith readings of the Bible,
and popular exegesis.

A broad selection of theologians from around the world respond to Liberation
Theology and its themes of the need for consideration of economic issues
and the empowerment of Third World churches.

______. Irruption of the Third World: Challenge to Theology. Maryknoll,
NY: Orbis, 1983.

A collection of over ten authors from around the world, reflecting thinking
about liberation from a perspective of the World Council of Churches.
Originally presented as papers at a meeting of the Ecumenical Association
of Third World Theologians, held in New Delhi in August 1981.

A professor at a Malaysian theological seminary discusses the need
for an Asian theology more consistent with its own intuitive worldview
apart from what he perceives as overly rational and cold Western theology.
He also analyzes Asian theologians in light of how well he believes
they have accomplished this and at the same time been faithful to
Scripture.

Roman Catholic priest argues that Western forms of Catholicism are fetishes
which hinder the development of theology in African context. The development
of Jewish and Latin Christianity is traced to demonstrate the precedent
for contextual theology.

De Gruchy, John W. and Villa-Vicencio. Apartheid is a Heresy. Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983.

A biblical evaluation of the origins, teachings, and impact of Apartheid
on the South African churches, both black and white, with particular
care to evaluate Apartheid in biblical perspective.

Dickson, Kwesi A. Theology in Africa. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1984.

Exposition of the African worldview as the context of theology in Africa,
the implications of Colonial Christianity, the need for Christianity
to affirm economic justice for Africans, and the need to build bridges
between biblical and African cultures.

A survey of theological issues facing the Catholic Church in Africa.
They include dealing with traditional cultures (including their impact
on the life of the church) and the need for a corrective African Theology
to deal with uniquely African issues such as relationships to South
Africa and issues of poverty.

African theologian details a theology of proclamation based on the uniqueness
and authority of Scripture as the Word of God.

Mbiti, John S. Concepts of God in Africa. New York: Praeger, 1970.

A survey of African religions from Kenya to Nigeria indicating which
people groups have had a very high view of God (along with other gods),
which has provided the foundation for the rapid spread of Christianity
in Africa. The debate is whether these religions know the Christian
God.

________. African Religions and Philosophy. New York: Praeger,
1969.

The first comparative study of African religions by an African evangelical
theologian, this book adds a new dimension to our understanding of African
History, life, and thought.

Examines role of Protestant liberal theology in the development of Pan-Africanism,
arguing that Africans and African-Americans were not passive recipients
of Western theology, but contributed to the development of African theology.

A comparison of Materialistic Exegesis (which attempts to interpret
key texts in Luke and Micah in the context of the original social, economic,
and political context) with the treatment of the same texts by Black
Theologians in the South African setting.

This is a good survey to introduce scholars to the issues leading to
recognition by Africans of the need for indigenous African Theology
and its relevance to African Independence movements, and problems in
southern and South Africa. Primary focus is theological issues in Africa
and South Africa.

One of the early works seeking to use the world view of African traditional
religion to make Christian teaching clear and attractive to the majority
of people, so that the church can be a valid option to more Africans.

A good introduction to the major issues in African theology including
African concepts of God, indigenous understandings of God, Africa's
potential contribution to world theological discussion, and issues of
understanding Jesus Christ as the Son of God in East African contexts.

Initial essays by Shorter on issues of Christianity and African culture
is followed by a collection of readings and papers from famous African
leaders dealing with African understandings of humanity, spirituality,
and community.

Black theology in America, with its origins and specific needs in asserting
authentic African identity and the struggle for civil rights, is compared
to the struggles of African people to work on indigenous theology, and
the struggles of South Africa. A good survey to introduce the major
issues and writers.

Committee on Theological Education (eds). MinjungTheology:
People as the Subjects of History. Maryknoll, NY:
Orbis, 1983.

A collection of 10 articles from eight different authors (mostly from
Korea) dealing with issues of poverty in Asia, and the insensitivity
of churches and theology to the plight of the poor. It cotends that
rooting Christian theology in the concerns of the very poor is legitimate
and necessary.

An Indonesian woman argues for the development of a unique approach
to theology that is unconstrained by conceptions of men and other cultures.

Koyama, Kosuke. No Handle on the Cross. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1976.

A series of lectures and devotionals on Asian approaches to understanding
God, and spiritual sensitivities and understandings of Christian theology
in Asia. The author is a missionary from Japan to Thailand.

________. Water Buffalo Theology. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1974.

Devotionals on Thai and Japanese cultural themes as they relate to the
understanding of God from South East Asian perspectives. Designed to
inform Christians from the West as they enter Asian lands.

Presents an Asian theology of the Trinity based on a variety of East
Asian religious traditions. The Korean concept of "yin and yang" is
used to help understand how God is both "one" and "three."

Park, Andrew Sung. The Wounded Heart of God: The Asian Concept of Han
and the Christian Doctrine of Sin.
Nashville: Abingdon, 1993.

Examines reconciliation with God and the restoration of han (the
Korean concept of the relational consequences of sin). Presents a culturally
contextualized examination of the doctrine of sin.

Song, Choan-Seng. The Compassionate God. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis,
1982.

This writer comes from China, lives in Switzerland, and writes theology
to help Westerners know how very differently the Gospel must be presented
for Asian minds. Evangelicals in China are not always pleased with the
extent to which he deals with Western ideas.

________. Jesus and the Reign of God. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1993.

Second of a trilogy detailing an Asian Christology.

________. Jesus in the Power of the Spirit. Minneapolis: Fortress,
1994.

________. The Tears of Lady Meng: A Parable of People's Political Theology.
Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1982.

An example of doing theology in a contextual way, Song examines a story
and draws implications for today.

________. Theology from the Womb of Asia. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis
1986.

An intriguing study of cultural themes appropriate to the doing of theology
in Asia, such as the Love-Pain of God who loves those who suffer and
the mystery of why he does not stop it. He offers 10 ways in which western
theology does not fit Asia and needs to change.

Compilation of writings on contemporary issues facing the black church,
including feminism, hermeneutics, and multicultural issues.

________. "Black Theology in American Religion." Journal of the American
Academy of Religion 53 (December 1985):
755-71.

Examines the roots of Black theology in the context of Africa-American
religious thought. The author discusses the themes of justice, love,
suffering, liberation and hope in Black religious thought from slavery
to the civil rights movement and the theology of Martin Luther King,
Jr. The author concludes with a discussion of the impact of Malcolm
X and the Black Power movement on the emergence of Black theology. (C)

Interprets the origins of Black theology from the Black Power movement
of the 1960s, its relationship to liberation theologies, special problems
faced by Black women and his suggestions for the movement as it moves
toward maturity. Earlier titles include: Black Theology, Black Theology
of Liberation, The Spirituals and the Blues.

An examination of Black theology as to how it relates to the biblical
doctrines of Christ, the Bible, and the church. It further analyzes
the tenets in light of Scripture to determine compatibility, and offer
biblical corrections, where needed.

White response to the Black Power authors of the sixties which recognizes
the ways in which African Americans have been systematically put at
a social and economic disadvantage, and considers the kind of response
which would lead toward justice and fairness.

A collection of essays and papers from eleven prominent African American
writers dealing with issues such as the Black presence in the Bible,
Afro-centric hermeneutics, African women in the Bible, and texts in
the Bible dealing with slavery.

Examines the nature of the Cushites as a Black people and notes their
contribution and development. In light of the prominence of the Cushites,
the author argues that the Bible should be seen as being told against
a multiethinic background.

A very devotional set of practical Bible studies designed to help people
of color deal with the distinctive problems and challenges facing them
in the USA, using the strength and power which only God can give as
they apply the teachings of God's word.

________. The Black Presence in the Bible: Discovering the Black and
African Identity of Biblical Persons and
Nations. Chicago: Black Light Fellowship, 1991.

This teacher's guide introduces the topic of the black presence in the
Bible and details the importance of the topic for blacks and whites
alike.

________. The Black Presence in the Bible and the Table of Nations:
Genesis 10:1-32 With Emphasis on the Hamitic
Genealogical Line from a Black Perspective. Chicago: Black Light Fellowship,
1990.

A companion to the above volume, this work focuses attention on Genesis
10:1-32.

Mitchel, Henry H. Black Belief. New York: Harper & Row, 1975.

Thesis that African American folk religion has it roots in lofty African
concepts of God as a God of hope and justice, which has given African
American people common beliefs, values and the ability to endure pain
in America.

This professor from Fuller Seminary comments on the crisis of the Rodney
King events and its meaning for Black evangelicals in view of the failure
of evangelical Whites to do much to understand the conditions and feelings
of people of color in the USA.

A plea for contextual theology which includes dialogue with Third World
theologians, African Americans and other communities, which traces the
origins of Black Theology and its potential contribution to justice
and reconciliation in our world today, without which there is little
love or truth in theology. Other titles by Deotis are: Black Theology
in Dialogue, Roots of a Black Future, A Black Political Theology,
Liberation and Reconciliation : A Black Theology

An evangelical assessment of the Black Consciousness movement and its
contribution to the health and recovery of African Americans, and recommendations
for what White evangelical churches could be doing to promote healing
and reconciliation.

Skinner, Tom. Black and Free. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1968.

An early statement by a black evangelical on the impact of the Gospel
on the problems of inner cities and racism.

________. How Black is the Gospel? Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott,
1970.

An effort to demonstrate that Christianity is not a "white" religion,
but is focused on a relationship with Jesus, who seeks all the lost.

________. If Christ is the Answer, What are the Questions? Grand
Rapids: Zondervan, 1974.

A question-and-answer book addressing some key issues in politics and
religion, stressing how faith in Christ can make a difference.

Examines the history of religion among African-Americans and identifies
the cultural, social, and political factors in the rise and decline
of radicalism in the black church. Concludes with identification of
current trends in black religion.

Witvliet, Theo. The Way of the Black Messiah: The Hermeneutical Challenge
of Black Theology as a Theology of
Liberation. Oak Park, IL: Meyer Stone, 1987.

This white theologian examines the history and development of black
theology and describes how it is unique as a theological movement. Translated
from Dutch.

A good introduction to contextualization in Latin American context,
understanding sin and salvation in an oppressed continent. An Evangelical
approach to Biblical and liberation themes.

________. The Integrity of Mission. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1979.

The author pleads with church and mission agencies to allow greater
freedom of thought and theological expression for Latin American pastors
and theologians. This will result in greater effectiveness in church
outreach in the region.

________. The Church and Its Mission: A Shattering Critique from the
Third World. Marykoll: Orbis, 1974.

A strong protest against the use of financial control to limit the effectiveness
of Latin American churches and missions to minister to Latin Americans.
Argues that the motivation for such control is fear of criticism on
the part of North American mission agencies.

A classic introduction to liberation theology from one of the founding
fathers, who focuses on the need to care for the liberation of the poor,
using a combination of Christian theology and Marxist critique of economic
conditions in Latin America.

Collection of readings on various aspects of Latin American Liberation
Theology.

Sobrino, Jon. The True Church and the Poor. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis,
1984.

A classic development of a combination of Christian Theology from a
Roman Catholic perspective and some Marxist categories of critique of
existing social inequality and persistent disadvantage of the poor.
Argues for the need to provide a theological solution to the problem.

Tamez, Elsa. The Amnesty of Grace: Justification by Faith from a Latin
American Perspective. Translated by Sharon H.
Ringe. Nashville: Abingdon, 1993.

Presents a Latin American theology of justification by faith, arguing
that justification is properly understood as a synonym for "humanization."

Peter Wagner of the School of World Missions offers an Evangelical attempt
to evaluate the major trends in Latin American Theology, attempting
to assess those emphases which are needed as a corrective and those
which are not acceptable to evangelical mission concerns.